Ted Baker, AllSaints Spitalfields and Topshop Open in Chicago

Chicago has always been a unique fashion market with a distinctive style of its own. It differs from both the coasts of NYC and L.A., with more conservative tone that stays within a certain parameter of acceptability. We are neither an all black designer clothing town like New York City or super trendy and casual, like L.A. Chicago fashion revolves around designer handbags, shoes, expensive jewelry and fur coats. These items have always sold well in our city.

St. John, Chanel, Prada, Georgio Armani, Ralph Lauren and Escada stores have always been successful, catering to the millions of tourists that flock to Chicago every year. Saks, Neiman Marcus and Barneys have a loyal following, and primarily appeal to an upscale clientele.

Chicago fashion may be changing with the “British Invasion” of clothing stores quietly opening up in our city on Rush Street and Michigan Avenue. Within a year, three U.K.-based stores will have set up stores in Chicago. Ted Baker was the first to open a few months ago at 1009-1011 North Rush Street, where trendy styling based on the classics are their mainstay. Ted Baker, which sells both men's and women’s clothing in the two-level boutique, is pricey, yet attainable.

Topshop Chicago, a flagship store, is set to open at 500 North Michigan Avenue in the old Borders bookstore location, across from Watertower Place. This 30,000-square- foot store promises to offer everything a woman is seeking. From makeup, accessories, handbags and clothing by trendy designers like Pamela Love, Danielle Scott and Steve Morris, Topshop has it all. The price point varies based on the collection, but I saw some great looking boots for $250, much less than most designer boots in town.

Another U.K.based store, AllSaints Spitalfields, located 700 North Michigan Avenue, between Zara and Saks Fifth Avenue, opened Thursday, June 23, to a crowded audience. It promises to be the hippest concept that has arrived since the Beatles! It carries a wide range of reasonably priced items with collections for both men and women.

This stylish store looks like it just came from London with items that are pure fashion. From scarves, tunics, jeans, graphic tees, sterling accessories and boots, they have it all! There appears to be something for every one of all ages in this shop.

At close to $500 per square foot for retail space on Michigan Avenue, AllSaints and Topshop, which are taking considerable space, are banking on the fact that their Chicago stores will be a huge success. My feeling is that Chicagoans are seeking a unique fashion-forward look and these U.K.-based stores will not disappoint!

Tagged as: Ted Baker, Topshop, fashion and AllSaints Spitalfields

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Terri Lee Ryan is a former Chicago commercial real estate broker, marketing consultant and hotel developer. An avid writer, she is the author of Life Is One Big To-Do List. In “People, Places and Property” she dishes on leaders in real estate, new places in your neighborhood and deals being done in Chicago.